Mark 16:9-20 — "The Longer Ending"

Whether the longer ending of Mark's Gospel (verses 9-20), absent from the earliest manuscripts, is considered part of canonical Scripture or a later addition.

Overall consensus61/100

Eastern Catholic (Byzantine Rite)

Eastern Catholic (Byzantine Rite)

Catholic

Nuanced

Textual criticism recognized; Resurrection affirmed through ecumenical witness

Eastern Catholic scholarship recognizes the textual status of Mark 16:9–20 while affirming the Resurrection as foundational to faith. The longer ending does not appear in the oldest Greek manuscripts, yet Eastern Catholic Churches include it in their biblical canon. The passage affirms Christ's post-resurrection appearances and the apostolic commission, which aligns with the theological emphasis of Eastern Catholic Christology.

Eastern Catholic Churches, while in communion with Rome, maintain many features of Eastern Orthodox tradition, including their approach to Scripture and the role of the Church's received text. The Divine Liturgy and patristic tradition sustain Mark 16:9–20 as part of the Church's scriptural heritage. While modern biblical scholarship notes the passage's textual uncertainty, the Eastern Catholic perspective honors both critical methods and the living tradition of the Church. The passage remains authoritative for doctrine and worship within Eastern Catholic communities.

Scripture References

Sources

  • Eastern Catholic Church Liturgical and Doctrinal Traditions
  • Eastern Catholic tradition